'What a disgrace': NBA world erupts after insane Kyrie Irving feat
NBA fans were once again left fuming over the farcical situation surrounding Kyrie Irving on Tuesday after the unvaccinated star dropped 60 points for the Brooklyn Nets against the Orlando Magic.
Irving isn't allowed to play games held in New York because of the state's vaccination mandate for workers.
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That means he can't play games at the Nets' home court, or when they play away against the New York Knicks.
On Tuesday the Nets travelled to Orlando to face the Magic, and Irving put on an absolute masterclass.
The point guard scored a career-high 60 points in a dazzling display as the Nets extended their winning streak with a 150-108 victory.
Irving - who had bagged 50 points last week in a victory over Charlotte - delivered another performance for the ages against an outclassed Magic at Orlando's Amway Centre.
The Nets star's tour de force surpassed his previous career best of 57 points - set in 2015 while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
"I felt good," Irving said after his epic display. "It really is a testament to the way we've been gelling as a team - us just giving each other confidence and doing the right things.
"When you can get 60 in the flow of the game and it doesn't seem forced, and you're not putting up a few too many bad shots, and you come to the bench and guys are supporting you, telling you to go after the record - that makes the basketball worth it."
NBA world fumes after Kyrie Irving explosion
The situation surrounding Irving's vaccination status descended into a farce on Sunday when he was allowed to sit in the crowd at Barclays Centre for a Nets home game.
New rules in New York mean spectators don't have to be vaccinated to enter the arena, meaning Irving was able to purchase his own tickets and sit courtside.
However he is still banned from playing games in New York, leaving fans and fellow players very confused.
LeBron James was among the many to hit out at the situation, tweeting: “It literally makes ABSOLUTELY ZERO SENSE!!!
“They say if common sense was common then we’d all have it. Ain’t that the truth."
James finished his tweet with the hashtag #FreeKyrie.
FACTS FACTS FACTS!! It literally makes ABSOLUTELY ZERO SENSE!!! They say if common sense was common then we’d all have it. Ain’t that the truth. 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ #FreeKyrie https://t.co/EhAcjuMrsL
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 13, 2022
Fans were quick to call for a resolution to the farce on Tuesday after Irving's insane 60-point outburst.
This is a joke, only cuz Kyrie can’t play home games lol.
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) March 16, 2022
The mayor of New York has to be the DPOY . He’s the only man that can stop Kyrie Irving 🔒 pic.twitter.com/Pgl2Gu4ox2
— VLONE (@fredddy1600) March 16, 2022
Unless either Kyrie Irving gets vaccinated or New York City lifts its private sector mandate, the Nets should hope they don't get home court advantage in the playoffs. https://t.co/VEtntwTm1D
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) March 16, 2022
Unvaccinated NBA Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving has scored over 50 points in less than 3 Quarters of play.
And he even got a standing ovation from the Home town Orlando crowd.
.@NYCMayor thinks Kyrie is a Viral threat if he plays in Brooklyn or MSG.
What a disgrace!— Parag Gupta (@Parag_Gupta) March 16, 2022
The mandate is a joke kyrie Irving can play at practice which is in Brooklyn but can’t play at the Barclays center while unvaccinated away players can play it’s a joke and it’s a disgrace this is still a thing this should be a national outcry one power hungry mayor is doing this.
— Thomas Slaight (@T_Slaight) March 15, 2022
Kyrie making @NYCMayor look like an absolute joke every time he plays. Its incredible.
— Ed Rover (@Ed_Rover) March 16, 2022
Irving made 20-of-31 from the field on Tuesday, making eight of 12 attempts from outside the arc.
A career-high performance looked inevitable after an explosive first half from Brooklyn.
The Nets piled on 48 points in the first quarter alone before adding 38 in the second quarter to lead 86-56 at half-time.
Irving contributed 41 points in that devastating first half, leaving him only 16 shy of his individual record.
He brought up 50 points - the sixth half-century of his career - with a driving layup in the third quarter, prompting chants of "Kyrie, Kyrie" from the Orlando crowd.
Two free-throws saw him reach his record at 57 and then a magical three-point pull-up from 26 feet saw him hit the 60-point mark.
Irving's points haul came 24 hours after the Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns scored 60 in a victory over the Spurs.
It is the first time different players have scored 60 points or more on consecutive nights in the NBA since 1962.
with agencies
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